Neil Bentley and Richard Heap had a dream to tackle one of the most spectacular and difficult free climbs in the world, the 1000 metre Salathe Wall on El Capitan in the USA’s Yosemite Valley. This film follows their adventure as they try to come to grips with the unremitting nature of the granite mountain. Five days of living in a vertical world, but more importantly the conflict that arises when dreams meet reality. Authentic, intimate and brimming with humanity, the film shows that failure is as important as success when underpinned by strong friendship and a love for masochism.
Director
Richard Heap
Richard has been making films for 15 years. He has directed and co-produced 4 docs for the BBC and one for Channel 4. All have received great reviews (‘Terrific’ – Guardian, ‘Brilliant’ – Daily Express, ‘Exemplary’ – Radio Times), one nominated for a prestigious Grierson award.
He has also made films for the United Nations, Sky Sports, English Heritage and 5 sell through DVD’s for the British Mountaineering Council. 7 other independent climbing films have sold across the world to YLE, ORF, NZTV, Al Jezeera, Hi-Fidelity (Canada) and SVT amongst others. They have garnered over a dozen film festival awards.
Films include; Hard Grit, Grand Prix – the Killer Years, Stone Love, Stick It, Blood, Sweat & Bagels, Deadliest Crash, Consumed: Inside the Belly of the Beast, Dragon’s Back Race.
Awards